Recovery bed planning in cardiovascular surgery: a simulation case study

• Published in: Health care management science 2013-12, Vol.16 (4), p.314-327
• Main Authors: Marmor, Yariv N., Rohleder, Thomas R., Cook, David J., Huschka, Todd R., Thompson, Jeffrey E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Business and Management; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Case studies; Clinics; Computer Simulation; Costs; Critical care; Econometrics; Financial analysis; Health Administration; Health care management; Health Informatics; Heart surgery; Hospital Bed Capacity - statistics & numerical data; Hospitals; Humans; Intensive care; Intensive Care Units - statistics & numerical data; Management; Models, Statistical; Needs Assessment; Operations Research/Decision Theory; Patient care planning; Patient safety; Planning Techniques; Postoperative period; Quality of service; Recovery (Medical); Resource allocation; Simulation; Studies; Workforce planning
• ISSN: 1386-9620; 1572-9389
• DOI: 10.1007/s10729-013-9231-5

Recovery beds for cardiovascular surgical patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and progressive care unit (PCU) are costly hospital resources that require effective management. This case study reports on the development and use of a discrete-event simulation model used to predict minimum bed needs to achieve the high patient service level demanded at Mayo Clinic. In addition to bed predictions that incorporate surgery growth and new recovery protocols, the model was used to explore the effects of smoothing surgery schedules and transferring long-stay patients from the ICU. The model projected bed needs that were 30 % lower than the traditional bed-planning approach and the options explored by the practice could substantially reduce the number of beds required.